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Our trusty Renault Scenic has developed one fault too many (electric parking brake) and I feel we should move on. The car is 2009 and relatively low miles, but is now plagued by electrical issues, plus the timing belt is due. The electrics issues are rear windows don't wind down, the mirrors often don't fold in, the interior fan is on full blast constantly and now the parking brake has reported a fault (will be a MOT fail).
We could look at fixing the brake and doing the timing belt, but I get a feeling the minor electrical issues will just lead down a rabbit hole and it will never be right.
Initially I hated the Scenic, but it came from a family member and we couldn't really refuse it. It has definitely grown on me over the years and I will be sad to see it go. It's practicality is great, moveable and removable rear seats being the best bit. We got a VW Touran as it's intended replacement. The Touran is great and comfortable for trips away, but it just doesn't have the same practicality as the Scenic.
We could just go to one car, but having a second car is useful at times, especially one as practical as the Scenic. Perhaps another Scenic is the answer, although electrical issues are a known problem. A Berlingo might be another, although my wife is not keen at all, as it's "a van". Maybe a small estate, however these are usually longer and a primary use will be city driving and parking.
An ideal solution would be a hybrid or EV, but I think these will be out of budget (the budget being as little as possible, but not quite bangernomics). Does the STW hive mind have any suggestions?
Initially I hated the Scenic, but it came from a family member and we couldn’t really refuse it.
Haha, you're not my ex are you? We had exactly the same situation.
Just scrapped the thing now the auto gearbox is failing.
Ironically, the electrical gremlins had stopped after I dealt with the blocked scuttle drains. (cut out the rubber flaps at the bottom).
Got the ex a cheap Corsa for now, but longer term probably looking at something like a C-Max, Note, Meriva or Jazz.
If you have a Touran, just go for a wee run-around surely?
If so, whatever is petrol, looked after and local to you. Buy on condition and ex-owners attitude.
(FWIW, and I have said this many times, our Seat Ibiza estate is the shizzzles for a small car for local trips, for our three lads to learn to drive on and to carry bikes or canoes as needed.)
Ironically, the electrical gremlins had stopped after I dealt with the blocked scuttle drains. (cut out the rubber flaps at the bottom).
I'll look into that
If you have a Touran, just go for a wee run-around surely?
Yeah, the Scenic is quite small (relatively). The kids are in car seats so a small hatch/estate may not be so good for rear space. It's likely only one child would be on board at a time though.
Ford S-Max.
Parents bought a 2013 Jazz for less than £4k last year when they were visiting the UK for 6 months. Wish I'd kept it when they left, great car, small outside but seemed remarkably spacious on the inside. Very practical and cheap to run, perfect second car I would say. Get the 1.4.
You already have the Scenic replacement in the Touran, so your second vehicle needn’t be an MPV or van. (If the Touran isn’t doing what you want, swap it for another Scenic or better.)
MX-5 it is then!
(speaking from an S-Max and MX-5 household)
(speaking from an S-Max and MX-5 household)
My MK1 MX5 has been in storage for 7 years, and I want to replace the S-Max with a van 🙈
You need a VW transporter surely?
{stealth ad} I'm selling my sister in law's 1.2 Fiat Panda, 2013, 73500miles, owned 11years £3k perfect little shopping / 2nd car.
SMax if you want another MPV. It's a cut above the Touran for space.
It drives pretty well for a tall(ish) 7 seater, the economy is bearable and there is masses of space.
I replaced a newer Passat estate with one and had few regrets. It has been brilliant as a family lugger but I'm wavering back on an auto estate as we can manage with a bit less space now that we don't try and ram mega oversize camping gear in it.
Ironically, the electrical gremlins had stopped after I dealt with the blocked scuttle drains.
In my car (not a Scenic or similar), the "fan on full blast" problem was caused by water pissing over the resistor near footwell due to blocked scuttle drains. I pulled back the passemger footwell carpet, unplugged the knackered resistor, plugged in a new £15 one, and it works again. Google to see if it's a similar scenario for yours.
I wouldn't care about the non-folding mirrors, but the inoperative rear windows would be a pain. Seems like damp fuse boxes are a known problem...?
https://www.renaultforums.co.uk/threads/cooling-fan-running-all-the-time.334273/
Perhaps not all is lost yet with the Scenic.. rear windows not working and hand brake issues may be related via a single corroded connector block it seems...
Depending on the range you need, an early leaf might be an option. The batteries are ropey in them so you might only get 60 mile range, but they're really cheap as a result
I had 3 Scenics but having had engine problems in all of them I finally changed to something completely different. Also the latest model (4th gen) didn’t seem as practical as previous due low roofline. As a family car they were excellent, comfortable and very roomy for their size. Oh and they were almost impossible to trade up for anything else than Renault.
S-Max was interesting but after two different dealers weren’t too interested in ordering them it was no longer an option- maybe because the dealers had few Galaxies ready for sale.
This connector I mentioned looks like a beast (R2 connector)... going to get an auto electrician to have a look and appraise whether attempting some fixes are worth it.
{stealth ad} I’m selling my sister in law’s 1.2 Fiat Panda, 2013, 73500miles, owned 11years £3k perfect little shopping / 2nd car.
Having just returned from Italy, I quite fancy a classic 4WD Panda
We had a scenic, 55 plate, the grand one. It was huge inside and drove well
we paid 2 huge bills, turbo and egr(?)valve. Then the clutch went and my wife says enough is enough. I think bills and purchase came to £8000. Which is less than a posher mpv would have been to buy. We got 6 years and 100,000 miles for that which isn’t so bad. Previous owner lost at least £12,000 on it for 3 years and 35,000 miles. I certainly feel I did better than them
We now have a Tepee Partner which I love
We also have a really bland Jazz inheited form my dad when he stopped driving. I really don’t love it but it’s a genuinely brilliant vehicle inside and drives well
You already have the Scenic replacement in the Touran, so your second vehicle needn’t be an MPV or van.
This was my thought, if you need a second car wouldn't a smaller runabout make better sense? an Aygo, fiesta or similar? two big MPVs only makes sense if you have a huge family...
The Scenic isn't big at all, neither really is the Touran by modern SUV standards. But unlike SUVs they both have a decent amount of room inside and 3 full rear seats.
A small run about would be ideal as long as the rear seats are spacious enough (for kids in car seats).
Ironically, the electrical gremlins had stopped after I dealt with the blocked scuttle drains. (cut out the rubber flaps at the bottom).
Another with a similar problem on my Scenic, though touch wood that's the only main problem it's had. It's my second Scenic, and it hasn't put me off getting another Renault when I get round to changing it in a couple of years. (I no longer need a full size family car, so I plan to get something slightly smaller next time).
They do seem to be notorious for electrical problems.
Doors not unlocking when they should was the most annoying. A friend had the same problem with hers.